Isa 28:10

Isa 28:10  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. In Isaiah 28, the prophet again turned his attention to Ephraim (another name for the northern nation of Israel. Another name is Samaria) (v.1-6) and Judah (v.7-13). The prophet charged these two states of drunkenness. First on Ephraim: “Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim” (v.1). Then, on Judah: “But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way” (v.7). Drunkenness is behind many crimes and sins. Many drunkards either commit violent or sexual crimes, or become victims of violent or sexual crimes. And, innocent people have become victims of people who have become intoxicated. Wine is detrimental to health is universally known. Wine destroys health, character, families, and societies. In this prophecy, wine destroyed Ephraim and Judah. It caused them to become corrupt and turn away from God. God said Ephraim’s destruction was near and they did not know about it: “Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower,” (v.1). Ephraim was a beautiful flower that was fading in its glory. Judah was no better: “But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision” (v.7). Its priests and prophets were drunk with wine. Their minds were too confused to receive God's messages and give righteous judgments. Were they able to receive God’s message again? Yes, they could; but as little children: “Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast?” (v.9, ESV). They must be taught like little children, slowly, little by little, and with repetitions: “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (v.10). Like teaching children, God could only give them such information as their narrow capacities could receive, and oftentimes, repeating the same simple lesson. Yet, the pride of Ephraim and Judah would not listen. They deemed the lessons were too simple and they refused to listen: “But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken” (v.13). Have you ever sat in a Bible class and thought the lesson was too simple for you and that you were wasting your time?  You are proud! You think you know the Bible; but do you know how to apply it? Paul wrote: “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know” (1 Corinthians 8:2). I have sat in Bible classes for over fifty years. I have learned from the old and young. We have some young men who are able to exegete and deliver wonderful lessons I must admit I can’t do it. Every lesson is an eye-opener. Brethren, God want us to grow up not just in knowledge but also in grace (2 Peter 3:18). The “grace” refers to the Christian virtues mentioned in 2 Peter 1:5-11. It is sad when adult Christians needed to be taught like little children. It is also sad when they CAN’T be taught like little children. What am I saying? Think about it.